Recruiting never stops and it’s easy to miss the top stories day-to-day. Recruiting analyst Greg Smith recaps all things Nebraska recruiting news, analysis and more so you never miss a thing.
Ainsworth 2024 athlete Carter Nelson has been gaining attention around the state for his achievements on the track this spring. He’s going to attempt defending his Class C state high jump title where his best mark this season is 7-0. He also has a 13-6 on his resume in pole vault. His personal best in the 100m dash is 11.05 seconds and 22.74 in the 200m. Nelson also stars on the basketball court, averaging 12 points and eight rebounds per game as a sophomore.
Nelson is a special athlete coming up in Nebraska. Football programs are noticing.
He grabbed an offer from Iowa State last month which is when Husker football fans started really noticing him. This week he earned a scholarship offer from Kansas and in-state Nebraska.
Blessed to have received an offer from the University of Nebraska!! pic.twitter.com/aUB54DJ4oB
— Carter Nelson (@Carter83854638) May 11, 2022
Nelson (6-4, 205) competes in 8-man high school football. It’s not unheard of for the Huskers to dip into the 8-man ranks for players. The program has a history with it and coach Scott Frost signed linebacker Seth Malcolm in the 2021 recruiting class. Nelson has been productive during his first two years of high school football. He’s grabbed 64 passes for 1,047 yards and 16 touchdowns so far.
Nebraska’s director of player personnel and recruiting Vince Guinta knows the value in the short and long-term of recruiting Nebraska. The Huskers regional focus has been a hot topic this offseason.
“Nebraska is always a program that you’re going to start in the state and be regional recruiters but you’re going to have to go out into different parts of the country to recruit,” Guinta said. “But we definitely wanted to make sure that we were focused in the region. This radius of states around this area, produce a lot of good players. You brought up the portal. I think players that are closer to home tend to stay with the programs they choose. That’s something I think long term that’s kind of always in the back of my head.”
The Huskers’ recruiting staff knows that there is value in getting those offers to rising in-state players early. There has been a perception that this staff is slow to offer Nebraska kids. Right or wrong, that could be changing.
Nelson is the fourth 2024 in-state prospect to receive a scholarship offer from the program. He joins wide receiver Dae’vonn Hall, quarterback Daniel Kaelin and defensive back Caleb Benning. That class is shaping up to be another good one in the state. The 2025 class already has a pair of early in-state offerees. Linebacker Christian Jones and defensive lineman Tyson Terry both hold offers.
This is the perfect time for the Huskers to refocus on in-state and regional talent. The program is smart to get out ahead on these offers because schools from all over the country are recruiting Nebraska high schools now.
Recruit Watch
>> Rising 2023 wide receiver Fredrick Moore out of Missouri was offered by Cincinnati on Wednesday.
Blessed To Receive An Offer From The University Of Cincinnati ❤️!! #CinCityPride @Im_MikeB @DemetricDWarren @SWiltfong247 @ChadSimmons_ @JoshHelmholdt @MohrRecruiting @AllenTrieu @Rivals_Clint @adamgorney @RitterPrep @BrennanSpain pic.twitter.com/AE6PDNnsCU
— Fredrick Moore (@FredrickMoore6_) May 11, 2022
>> Lincoln East 4-star athlete Malachi Coleman was offered by Missouri.
#AGTG After an amazing conversation with @CoachErikLink I’m blessed to receive an offer from @MizzouFootball !! @Rivals_Clint @SWiltfong247 @LEHS_FB pic.twitter.com/sDMXrtAcSN
— Malachi Coleman (@ChiColeman23) May 11, 2022
>> Priority 2023 linebacker target Phil Picciotti is releasing his top four on Friday.
‼️Releasing TOP 4 tomorrow 3pm‼️
— P³³ (@PhilPicciotti) May 12, 2022
ICYMI
>> Steve Marik and I get you caught up on the latest with Nebraska and the portal in our weekly football video.
>> Nebraska baseball is in search of more winning plays as it travels to Illinois for a road series.
>> Marik is taking a look at the specialists next in his re-scoring the 2022 Huskers series.
>> Jacob Padilla is here to explore Cam Taylor-Britt’s NFL outlook in Cincinnati.
Greg is the Recruiting Analyst for Hail Varsity and has covered Husker athletics since 2013. He has always had a passion for sports while growing up in the Chicago area. As he got older and had to hang up his cleats and sneakers, he realized his passion for sports went beyond just watching and attending games. He has covered many events from the Rose Bowl to championship boxing matches. If he’s not talking sports, he’s hovering over his grill. He is married to an amazing woman, Kim, and they have a dog that barks when Greg yells at the TV during games.
